Game board



\ Feb. 8,1938. c.'F. COOKSON 2,107,326

GAME BOARD 'Filed Jan. 26, 1957 INVENTOR CLQ/PEA/C' CO0K50N 1 A ORNEY Patented Feb. 8, 1938 rr Fries 15 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in game apparatus and has particular relation to game boards of the kind commonly known as pin games.

The present invention has relation to several features of construction of game boards and the objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:-

Fig. 1 is a top plan view .of the present game board;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig.3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-43 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig, 5 is an enlarged detail sectional View showing a step in the assembly;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is a detail elevational View taken as along the line of Fig. l; and

Fig. 8 is a detail elevational View showing the construction of a guide rail, the view being taken as along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the improved game board comprises a base it, the upper side of which forms a playing field. As here disclosed, the base is of Masonite although it may be of any other composition board or of wood if so desired. The Masonite or other composition board is preferred for reasons of economy.

In making up the game board holes I l are provided in the base at suitably spaced intervals and such holes extend entirely through the base. Next small holes are drilled through the base I 0 in rather close relation to the holes ii and into such small holes pins I2 are inserted. These pins each include a head !3 at the inner side of which is a shoulder 14 of somewhat greater diameter than the shank of the pin and the shoulder is provided with teeth 15.

The small holes are of such size that the shank portions of the pins pass freely through them, the pins being dropped in from the rear side of the base. Then by a press or other means the pins are forced home, their shoulder portions having forced fits in the holes with the teeth l5 biting into the material of the base. Applying the pins 7 in this way the base forms a jig since after the 5 holes are drilled for the pins it is but necessary to manually insert the pins from the rear side of the base and then permit the base to pass into a press by which-the pins are forced into their final positions.

Suitable guide rails liiare secured to the base and project above the upper or playing surface thereof. These guide rails are in the form of sheet metal strips having prongs ll projecting from their lower edges at suitably spaced intervals. For locating the guide rails holes are drilled in the base and then the guide rails are positioned with their prongs I! extending through such holes. Thereafter, the inner end portions of the prongs are bent over or clinched as at it in Figs. 20 2 and 4. If desired, the guide rails are strengthened by the pressing of grooves l8 therein and such grooves extend into the prongs l? but not for the length thereof. Obviously, these grooves stiffen the prongs and such grooves extend only 25 for the portions of the prongs equal to the thickness of the base l0 so that the inner ends of the prongs may be easily bent over or clinched as shown.

After the pins 1 2 and the various guide rails are in place a sheet l s of card board or other similar material is disposed over the lower side of the base. This sheet covers the heads l3 of the pins 1 2 and also covers the bent over end portions 18 of the prongs H. Thus sheet 1915 a finishing sheet. Also, the sheet closes the lower ends of the openings l 1 whereby such openings constitute pockets for the reception of marbles or such other playing pieces as may be used. In this connection it will be understood that suitable numbers or the like may be associated with each of the open-- ings i l 2i! and 2! are the end or finger pieces of suitable mechanisms for the projection of marbles or the like on to the playing field. Since the manner of playing is not important for the present case the details of these mechanisms are not given.

A strip 22 is disposed about the longitudinal side edges and the upper end edge of the base I 0. This strip is of sheet metal and extends considerably above the playing surface of the base and acts as a guard to prevent the playing pieces from rolling off the base. The lower edge of the strip is bent providing a flange 23 and a bead 24 is pressed in the strip in spaced relation to 7 tion on the base. V V V 2. In a game board, abase the upper surface and extending over the flange whereby a channel is formed in the strip between the flange and the bead. This channel receives the side edges and the upper end edge of the base and of the card board or other finishing sheet IS.

A member 25 is disposed on the lower end portion of the board and comprises a finishing member and a hand rest by means of which the board may be steadied when using either of the projecting mechanisms. As shown in Fig. 6 member 25 is somewhat U-shaped in transverse section and includes a depending front wall 25 the lower edge of which abuts the upper surface of the base l0, a top wall or hand rest 2? and a rear 24 of the strip 22.

'ceived in a channel.

wall 28. At its lower edge wall 28 has a flange 29 corresponding with'the flange 23 of strip 22 and spaced from the flange 29 such wall 28 is provided with a bead 39 corresponding with the bead Thus the flange 29'and the bead 30 definebetween them a channel which as shown in Fig. Greceives the lower edge portions of base lOjand sheet 19. i 7

From the 'above it;wil1' be seen'that the entire edge portion of the'base l0 and sheet I9 is re- Thus the base is held against warping. It is here noted that the strip .22 .may not be properly nailed 'to the base by means of fasteners passing through the strip and into the base since the latter iso'f composition board and such material will not hold nails driven into its edges. Therefore, I provide the strip and the member 25 with the channels 1 tending portions.

receiving the edges of the base and in this way the strip is secured in place and in addition prevents warpingof the'base.

The ends of the strip are provided withopenings 3| and'the rear curved wall 25 of'the mem- 'ber 25 is ,at' each end provided with lugs 32.

When'the member'is in position the strip is bent around the. base and-its ends are swung in from the dotted line positions of Fig'. land as suggested in Fig. 5, .to have the lugs .32 pass through theholes or openings 3| after which the lugs are bent over to the positions of Figs. 1 and'7. In this way the ends of the strip are anchored and thus the strip'is secured in place and being attachedto the member 25 the latter is also secured in place.

Clamps 33 may be arrangedmidway of the ends of the side or longitudinal edges of the base.

7 These clamps embrace the strip 22 and have portions 34"extending under the base and such POI'.

tions are secured to the-base as by rivets or the like 35'extending through-the base and the ex- These clamps'prevent the intermediate po'rtions of the side legs of the strip from moving out away from the edges of the base. If desired, theouter or hollow sides of the beads 24 and 30 in the strip and the member 25 may becolored to ornament the game'boar with a. brightly colored stripe.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, whatIclaim is:-

1. In a game board, abase the upper surface of which provides a playing field, a metal strip about the side edges and one end edge. of the base and extending above the upper surface thereof, said strip having a channel receiving the said edges of said base, and means anchoring the ends of said strip to maintain the latter in posiof which provides a playing field, a metal strip about the side edges and one end edge of the base and extending 'abovethe upper surface thereof, said strip having a channel receiving the said edges of said base, a member on the other about the side edges and one end edge of the base and extending above the upper surface thereof, said strip of sheet metal having afiange along one edgethereof and having a bead therein in spaced relation to and extending over said flange whereby a channel is'formed, said channel receiving the .mentioned edges of the base,

and means anchoring the ends of said strip to maintain the latter in position on the base.

4. In a game board, a base the upper surface of which provides a playing field, a metal strip aboutthe side edges and one end edge of the base and extending above the upper surface thereof, said strip of sheet metal having a flange along one edge thereof and having a bead therein in spaced relation to and extending over said flange whereby 'a channel is formedsaid channel receiving the mentioned edges of the base, a member on the other end of. the base and having. a channel receiving the edge of such end,

and means anchoring the ends of said strip to said member. 5. In a game board, a base the upperlsurface of which provides a playing field, a metal strip aboutthe side edges and one endedge of the base and extending above the upper surface thereof, said strip of sheet .metal having a flange along one edge thereof and having a bead'therei in in spaced relation tc'and extending over'said flange whereby a channel is formed, said channel receiving the mentioned edges of the base,

amember on the otherend of therbase, said member having a flange along one edge and at bead in spaced relation to and'extending over said flange whereby a channel is formed receiving the edge of such end of the base, and means anchoring thegends of said strip to said member whereby the strip and member are secured to the base.

. 6. In a gameboard, abase'the upper surface of which provides a playing field, 'a metal-strip about the side edges and one end edge of the base and extending above the upper surface thereof, saidstrip havinga channel receiving "thesaid edges ofsaid base, a member 'onthe other end of the'base and having a channelreceiving the edge'cf such end,'means anchoring the ends of said strip to said member, and-said member including a portion extending over'the end portion of the base and forming 'a hand rest and finishingpiece.

'7. In a game board, a base-theuppersurface of which provides a playing'field, a metal strip about the side edges and one'end edgejof the base and extending above theuupper ..surface thereof, said'strip' having a channel receiving the said edges ofsaid base,'means anchoring the ends of said strip, and clamp securedto said base and engaging. the strip intermediate the ends of the baseto hold the strip'in place. 7

8. In a game board, a base the uper side of which comprises a playing surface, said :.base havingopenings therethrough, a covering sheet on the lower side of said base and closing the lower sides of saidopenings whereby pockets are formed, a stripabout the side'edges and one end edge of the base and sheet and extendingabove the upper surface of the base, said strip having a channel receiving said edges of the base and sheet, and means anchoring the strip in position about the said edges of the base and sheet.

9. In a game board, a base the upper side of which comprises a playing surface, means about the edge of said base and extending above the playing surface, a guide rail on said base and extending above the playing surface thereof, said guide rail comprising a strip, prongs integral with said strip and extending through said base, and said prongs having their lower ends clenched against the lower side of the base.

10. In a game board, a base the upper side of Which comprises a playing surface, means about the edge of said base and extending above the playing surface, a guide rail on said base and extending above the playing surface thereof, said guide rail comprising a strip, prongs integral with said strip and extending through said base, said prongs having their lower ends clenched against the lower side of the base, said strip having transversely extending channels therein, and said channels extending for a portion of the length of said prongs.

11. In a game board, a base, a surface of which provides a playing field, a wall about the edges of said base and extending above the playing surface thereof, and said wall of sheet metal and including spaced portions located substantially below its upper edge and overlying the upper and lower surfaces of the base whereby the edge of the base is received between said portions.

12. In a game board, a base, a surface of which provides a playing field, a metal strip along an edge of the base and extending above the playing surface thereof, said strip including spaced portions located substantially below its upper edge and receiving said edge of the base between them, and means anchoring the ends of said strip.

13. In a game board, a base, a surface of which provides a playing field, a metal strip along an edge of the base and extending above the playing surface thereof, said strip including spaced portions locate-d substantially below its upper edge and receiving said edge of the base between them, means anchoring the ends of the strip, and a clamp secured to said base and engaging an intermediate portion of the strip to hold such portion in place with its spaced portions receiving the edge of the base.

14. In a game board, a base, a surface of which provides a playing field, a metal strip along a side edge of the base and extending above the playing surface thereof, a metal strip along an end edge of the base and extending above the playing surface thereof, said strips each having spaced portions receiving such edges between them, and said strips having their adjacent ends connected.

15; In a game board, a flat non-metallic base a surface of which provides a playing field, a wall at an edge portion'of the base and extending substantially above the playing surface thereof, said wall comprising a strip of sheet metal including vertically spaced parallel portions located substantially below its upper edge and receiving between them said edge portion of the base.

CLARENCE F. COOKSON. 

